Therapists in Westport, CT

Lift Wellness Group has proudly served as Southwestern Connecticut's premier outpatient counseling, psychotherapy, medical and dietary group for seven years. Located in the heart of downtown Westport, CT, our multidisciplinary team provides eating disorder recovery services, psychiatric evaluations and medication management, dietary services, group therapy, meal support, CBT, DBT, EMDR, executive function coaching, ADHD evaluations and treatment, play therapy, couples counseling, mood and anxiety treatment, therapy for teens, young adult counseling, both in person and remotely in CT, TN, VA, CO, TX, NY, FL, MA, DC, GA, NC, PA.

Asking for help can be challenging for many people, especially when you’re not feeling your best. Given the range of options, choosing the right therapist for you may feel overwhelming and confusing. Having an appreciation of the value of the therapist-client fit, I am committed to providing a comfortable and safe environment where issues may be better understood. As a seasoned therapist, I have worked with children, adolescents and adults who are struggling with concerns related to self-esteem, school, ADHD, work, family, life stage transitions, eating disorders, illness and losses.

Do you often feel sad? Lonely? Anxious? Or just unsatisfied with the way your life is going in certain areas? Do you sometimes feel stuck in negative thoughts? I can help you to break through, to move towards your goals and feel better. I will be with you all the way, to encourage you, guide you, and help you reach your genuine happy self.

I approach therapy from the perspective of wanting to understand what it would mean for you as my client to have a meaningful life, and what is currently blocking that. I believe that therapy is a collaborative process, so I work together with my clients to discover the internal strength and healing they already hold inside, even if they do not know it yet.

Is the pattern of "reacting" rather than "responding" negatively impacting your relationships and professional life? Is your self-esteem battered from being constantly criticized for overreacting? These are indications that the issue lies in your nervous system rather than your cognitive process. When this is the case, it makes sense to focus treatment on developing techniques to modulate your nervous system. This will help you access critical thinking and respond in a productive way. Your relationships, career, and self-esteem will benefit when you are able to formulate a response rather than be driven by emotional reactivity.

My clients are primarily interested in self-empowerment. They are heartened by the opportunity to discover unconscious conditioning that might have stood in the way of their hope for happiness, success, and peace of mind. They feel revitalized when they gain new tools to reach their goals. One widespread issue that is common in therapy these days is 'poor boundaries.' Somatic Psychotherapy is a way to check in with the body to see what indication it offers us for a 'yes' or a 'no' to someone's request or expectation. A 'no' all too easily gets overridden by guilt, and always for invalid reasons. Learn how your body speaks volumes!

I specialize in individual psychotherapy, couples counseling and executive coaching. I work with individuals who are in crisis or need assistance facing everyday challenges. I see couples who are having interpersonal conflicts and communication difficulties. I am a compassionate listener with a good sense of humor and a warm, engaging style. I view each person as an individual and will tailor treatment to best meet your unique needs. I am trained in goal directed cognitive therapy (CBT) as well as more in- depth existential psychodynamic analysis that focus on how both current and past experience influences patterns of behavior.

Have the changes since the pandemic left you feeling stuck? Challenged? Do you want to enhance your life? Have you lost sight of your dreams? Whether you long to feel closer to your partner, are overwhelmed at work, or feel that being a parent leaves no time for your dreams, Dr. Lavi & her Dream Positioning System (DPS) can put YOU back in control of your life so you can start moving towards your dreams. Although the psychotherapeutic relationship lasts for life, therapy with Dr. Lavi will be as brief as possible. When issues arise down the road, clients can return to "recalculate"get back on track & reach their aspirations.

"It is my intention to be of service in your journey, to support you in being all of who you are and live from your authenticity. To help you find the courage to know and express your real needs, to feel all of your feelings, and to let go of the defense patterns that limit your experience of aliveness and do not serve your higher purpose."

In the past 18 years I have become quite adept at working with clients who have trauma histories. Trauma can be major or it can be minor. I find that all human beings have experienced some form of trauma in their lives and this trauma often contributes to our current challenges. I use a method called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with many of my clients. This is a physiological method that is both quick and effective. So whether you are suffering from depression, anxiety, addiction, ect. I can help you both rapidly and dramatically.

Have you ever found yourself in therapy, talking yourself in circles, wondering why you even bother? I offer direct feedback and guided questioning, along with support, from the first session. I use humor and empathy to help make it easier to broach difficult topics. I always work at the client's pace.

Feeling overwhelmed? Stressed out? Emotionally depleted? I am a compassionate, empathetic, enthusiastic partner ready to help you find a sense of peace and balance. I love working with adolescents and adults empowering them to achieve their goals and face challenges in a healthy way. Working with a variety of people, from those facing difficulty with new life situations to those who are experiencing depression and anxiety, my goal is to support you as you find ways to manage your fears while discovering your self-worth and self acceptance. I look forward to assisting you as you become your best self.